LITTLE ROCK — Matthew Cohen brings his 30 years of martial arts experience to the screen in his new DVD, Tai Chi and Qi Gong Basics ($19.99, Acacia), to teach principles of these two Chinese disciplines that promote serenity and vitality, as well as increasing energy and physical stamina.
The 70-minute DVD is divided into two parts: One is tai chi and the other, a previously released 40-minute qi gong workout.
Soft sounds of soothing, flowing water greeted me after I inserted the DVD in my player. The trickling immediately accomplished what I suppose it was intended to do, putting me in a calm mood to allow my mind to focus.
Cohen begins the tai chi segment with a slow warm-up, moving the neck in slow circles and encouraging measured breathing.
He spends the next 25 minutes moving the whole body, in three progressively more intense segments. First, he demonstrates and describes the benefits of several poses: White Crane Spreads Wings, Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, Play the Pipa and Snake Creeps Low. Cohen says the movements will increase leg strength, as well as flexibility and endurance.
You can kind of see the animal in your head. But when, for instance, snake creeps low, and you’re standing, it’s hard not to chuckle.
Each segment moves slightly faster, and his knee bends deepen in the last several minutes before the cool down. You will definitely feel your core and leg muscles “activate” by the end.
Cohen’s facial expressions were blissful as he led me through the different movements. His voice and the background music were so soothing that if I wasn’t actively participating I could have used this DVD to help me fall asleep.
But you might want to make yourself a little familiar with tai chi before taking on the first segment. Cohen doesn’t go into intricate detail about how to stand or which way to move. I suggest watching him for a few minutes, then rewinding the video and trying to follow it.
You will not have this problem using the qi gong session. The motions here are much slower and focus more on breathing and slow, repetitive movements. At the end you spend several minutes in meditation.
Cohen goes to even greater lengths to promote the mood; he and a partner stand on large boulders in a desert with mountains in the background. Indian pipe music soothes the air while lights reflect on their faces, giving the illusion of rippling water.
One of the more interesting extras on the DVD is a video Q&A in which Cohen explains how he got started in martial arts and his life experiences that led him to practice tai chi. He talks about the Chinese philosophies behind the two arts, as well as their similarities and differences. While both are Taoist in nature, he says, tai chi can be used for self-defense, while qi gong is more of a healing art.
Tai chi can benefit old and young alike, he says. It can help elderly people maintain bone density, balance and strength. Even if you are an athlete you can benefit, he says. You gain flexibility and endurance, as well as greater sensitivity and speed. Anyone can do it, Cohen says. Tai chi isn’t just for old people in a park.
Other extras on the DVD include a 15-minute Yin and Yang Yoga workout and another 10-minute yoga segment to help with back pain.
ActiveStyle, Pages 23 on 03/28/2011